Solar irradiance modeling augmented with atmospheric water vapor data

ABSTRACT

A computer implemented method of estimating solar irradiance, the method comprising: constructing a reference irradiance set of tuples; constructing a reference predictor set of tuples, merging the reference irradiance set of tuples and the reference predictor set of tuples by matching numerical identifiers for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists in the reference irradiance set of tuples and the timestamp with the numerical identifier for a particular location in the reference predictor set of tuples and the timestamp to provide a reference data set of tuples; and estimating the global horizontal irradiance for a specific location and a timestamp by minimizing the least squares error between the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples to provide a set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for a specific location and timestamp.

This application claims priority to provisional patent application 62/188,783 filed Jul. 6, 2015 and entitled, “Solar Irradiance Modeling Augmented with Atmospheric Water Vapor Data.” This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 14/194,858 filed Mar. 3, 2014, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 12/777,224 filed May 10, 2010 and a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 11/949,035 filed Dec. 2, 2007. This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 14/791,312 filed Jul. 3, 2015, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 13/623,240 filed Sep. 20, 2012 (now issued U.S. Pat. No. 9,322,951), a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 12/777,224 filed May 10, 2010, a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 11/949,035 filed Dec. 2, 2007 (now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,742,897) and a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 11/673,649 filed Feb. 12, 2007 (now abandoned). Each of the above referenced applications are incorporated in their entirety herein.

With the increasing popularity of solar panels, it has become increasingly more desirable to map the relative concentration of solar radiation hitting the earth's surface in different geographic regions. This may be useful to make determination of whether to buy a photovoltaic solar system, the appropriate size of the system and the proper angle of installation. The process of mapping the intensity of the sun is generally referred to as solar resource assessment. The output of solar resource assessments are databases that catalog the regional intensity of the solar resource, on a given number of minutes increment or an hourly basis, over the course of many years. The databases are often displayed as maps, having an appearance similar to topographic maps, and shadings corresponding to the intensity of the average annual solar resource. These maps are referred to as irradiance maps.

Solar irradiance, the energy from the Sun's electromagnetic radiation, has a wide range of applications from meteorology to agronomy to solar power. Constructing detailed irradiance maps is a challenging but important goal. Irradiance maps can be useful for a number of things, from estimating crop growth to estimating potential output from PV systems. Developing irradiance maps can be challenging because irradiance sensors are too expensive to deploy widely, and satellite-based methodologies tend to have wide margins of error. Solar irradiance reaching Earth is primarily determined by a location's spatial relationship with the Sun and the atmospheric conditions that impact the transmission of the radiation. The spatial relationship between the Sun and a location on Earth is determined by established astronomical formulas. The impact of atmospheric conditions is typically estimated via proxy, where the current standard is using pixels from satellite imagery. While satellite-based irradiance estimation has proven largely effective, its accuracy is limited by the amount of available information about the composition of gases, including water vapor, in the atmosphere at the particular location and time for which the irradiance estimate is being made. This methodology provides logic for the integration of water vapor content into models of solar irradiance transmission and for the estimation of solar irradiance base on these enhanced models.

Solar irradiance has impact across a variety of scientific fields including but not limited to meteorology, agronomy, and solar power. In meteorology, irradiance is absorbed by Earth's surface as heat, affecting the global mean temperature. In agronomy, irradiance causes growth in plants as well as impacting transpiration. In solar power, irradiance converts to electricity via the photovoltaic effect or it heats water for solar thermal energy. In addition to these examples, solar irradiance influences countless physical processes, thus illustrating the need for accurate sources of irradiance.

Measuring solar irradiance requires field deployment of precisely configured scientific instruments, typically an actinometer variant. Actinometers are instruments designed to measure the heating power of radiation and the pyranometer is a variant designed for measuring solar irradiance. Standard commercial pyranometers are currently capable of measuring broadband solar irradiance within ±5%, and high-end variants can measure irradiance within ±1%. With few exceptions (e.g., large scale solar projects), pyranometers are cost prohibitive to deploy at the level of granularity required, thus models for estimating solar irradiance are necessary.

There exist many variants of solar irradiance estimation models, ranging from neural networks to temperature change based methodology. The current standard for irradiance estimation models is based on satellite imagery. While details of the methodology differ based on the satellite used, the overall principle of using pixels to approximate atmospheric conditions is consistent across models. Originally these models were based solely on visible spectrum images, but recent advances have integrated infrared spectrum images as well as ambient temperature into the models.

A major obstacle to accurate modeling of atmospheric irradiance transmission is the availability of input data. Satellite coverage, historical imagery availability, imagery resolution, and the number of unique satellites are limited due to the costs associated with building and maintaining satellites. The state of the art in satellite based irradiance modeling involves making assumptions about the current state of the atmosphere in the absence of complete and timely measurements. The water vapor content of the atmosphere has an important physical effect upon the transmission of irradiance through the atmosphere. Thus, the inclusion of water vapor data as an additional input into irradiance models can allow higher levels of accuracy to be achieved.

The present invention provides methods for augmenting an solar irradiance models based on visible spectrum satellite imagery, infrared spectrum satellite imagery, topographic maps, snow-cover maps, atmospheric turbidity maps, and sensor-based weather observations into a model based on all those inputs and water vapor data. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for combining satellite derived estimates of atmospheric water vapor levels with visible spectrum satellite imagery, infrared spectrum satellite imagery, topographic maps, snow cover maps, atmospheric turbidity maps, and sensor-based weather observations in order to estimate solar irradiance.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method of estimating solar irradiance is provided, the method comprising: constructing, in a computing device, a reference irradiance set of tuples, the reference irradiance set of tuples each having at least a numerical identifier for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists, a timestamp and a measured global horizontal irradiance for a location and timestamp; constructing, in the computing device, a reference predictor set of tuples, the reference predictor set of tuples each having at least a numerical identifier for a particular location, a universal coordinated timestamp, a visible spectrum pixel intensity value from satellite image for the particular location and a timestamp, an infrared pixel intensity value for spectral band m for the particular location and a timestamp, an elevation for a location with a numerical identifier for the particular location, snow cover for the particular location and a timestamp, atmospheric turbidity for the particular location and a timestamp, atmospheric water vapor content for the particular location and a timestamp and a clear sky global horizontal irradiance for the particular location and a timestamp; merging, by the computing device, the reference irradiance set of tuples and the reference predictor set of tuples by matching the numerical identifiers for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists in the reference irradiance set of tuples and the timestamp with the numerical identifier for a particular location in the reference predictor set of tuples and the timestamp to provide a reference data set of tuples; and estimating, by the computing device, the global horizontal irradiance for a specific location and a timestamp by minimizing the least squares error between the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples to provide a set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for a specific location and timestamp.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 10 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 11 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 12 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 13 depicts aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 14 depicts aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 depicts aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-5 provide examples of a monitored electrical system (in this case a renewable power system and more specifically a photovoltaic array solar panel also referred to herein as a solar photovoltaic system or solar powered system) for which information may be obtained. According to the example shown, there is a server 10 and at least one monitored electrical system (e.g. 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) which is provided to a user or consumer. There may be at least one data server (10), at least one generation monitoring device (16) in communication with the monitored electrical system (at premise monitored electrical system (30)) and at least one communication node (22) in communication with at least one of the monitored electrical system (30), the generation monitoring device (16) and the data server (10). It should be understood the data server may be a single computer, a distributed network of computers, a dedicated server, any computer processor implemented device or a network of computer processor implemented devices, as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art. The monitored electrical system may have Background Constants that are entered into the system during data setup; populating this part of the data structure is one of the initial steps to the process. During this time, all required (or potentially required) background information may be loaded into the system. This data will later be used for system calculations and diagnostics. Background Constants may include: (1) Full Calendar with sunrise and sunset according to latitude throughout the year; (2) Insolation or ‘incident solar radiation’: This is the actual amount of sunlight falling on a specific geographical location. There are expected amounts of radiation which will fall on an area each day, as well as an annual figure. Specific Insolation is calculated as kWh/m2/day. The importance of this variable is that it can combine several other Background Constants; and (3) Location Functionality.

There may be the step of determining at least one Diagnostic Variable for each monitored electrical system (30). These are the variables which affect the diagnostics. Examples include: (1) Adjustments to the permitted size of each zone. When there are fewer systems within an area, the algorithm may be adjusted to allow for a statistically accurate comparison, but this would also reduce the ability of the comparison to control as well for weather, etc., since there may be more variances over the distance; (2) Adjustments to the sensitivity of the diagnostics. Changing thresholds will impact when a particular renewable energy system is identified by the software as having an issue. Each at least one Diagnostic Variable is saved into at least one data server.

The method may comprise the step of determining at least one System Coefficient for each monitored electrical system and saving each System Coefficient in the data server(s). These are set up when each new renewable energy system is entered into the software, and they provide key information about the expected performance of each system. The Coefficients will generally stay the same for the life of the system. Not all System Coefficients will be used in each comparative diagnostic, but they all may be used at some point to provide additional functionality to the process. One critical aspect of the System Coefficients is that ALL Coefficients for all renewable energy systems must be assigned using the same approach and rules. The reason for this is that if the System Coefficients are not uniformly applied, the Normalized Performance values (described below) will not be accurate. The items which can make up the System Coefficients include: (1) Expected generation by day, month and year for the system; (2) Expected generation on an ongoing basis (e.g. average generation each day, regardless of time of the year); (3) Renewable Energy system size; (4) System technology; (5) system tolerances (e.g. how accurate information from the system's components will be); (6) system shading; (7) system orientation; and (8) An ‘Adjustment Factor’ which can be entered by admin to adjust for how the system actual works to reduce ‘false’ signals if the system does not work as initially expected. This is represented as a percentage affecting the calculations. Some system coefficients may be automatically detected and some system coefficients may be user input.

The energy generated by each monitored electrical system may be recorded and the data server may then determine comparative information based upon at least one of the Background Constant, the Diagnostic Variable, the System Coefficient and the energy generated to determine a comparative value of the monitored electrical system. The term comparative value is intended to include any value that compares one system to another system or a group of systems. For example, this may be as simple as an “underperforming” designation when the system's performance is less than another system or group of systems performance in terms of power generated.

Normalized Performance may be calculated. This is an ongoing calculation which is done for each monitored electrical system which is connected to the software. Essentially, the Normalized Performance is a monitored electrical system's actual performance for a given time period multiplied by its individual System Coefficient.

The formula for this for a given time period is: NP=Gen*SC This equation is relevant to performing Comparative Information and Comparative Diagnostics since it enables the results from disparate systems to be ‘normalized’ and therefore directly compared. These Normalized Performance readings can then aggregated into larger periods (24 hours, 7 days, 1 month) for comparison.

The comparative information may be a ‘Geographic Average’. The Geographic Average may be calculated by an algorithm which produces an average of the Normalized Performances for each area covered. One purpose is to be able to efficiently perform comparative diagnostics regularly (e.g. every 5 minutes) for a large number of areas containing a large number of renewable energy systems without overly taxing the servers' processors. The main steps of this are as follows: (1) The software will randomly select a predetermined number (for example forty (40)) renewable energy systems within each of the algorithm's defined localities; (2) The Normalized Performance for these forty (40) systems will be summed and then divided by forty (40); (3) This results in a statistically significant Geographic Average which will then be recorded on the database; (4) An important feature of this algorithm is that much of the complexity is dealt with at the individual renewable energy system level with the System Coefficient. The simplicity of the algorithm is important for processor efficiency and ongoing data production.

There may be a comparative diagnostics process. Once the Normalized Performance and the Geographic Average are known for a given renewable energy system, these two figures can be compared to determine how well the system is performing vis-a-vis expectations. The reason the results of this are valid regardless of time of year or environmental conditions is because these factors are all controlled for within the local sampling of related systems. Based on the factors noted above which can degrade system performance, the Comparative Diagnostics can be used to determine when a monitored electrical system is performing sub optimally, therefore the comparative value may be “underperforming” or any other term indicating an issue. If the comparative value falls below certain thresholds (e.g. 7.5% below the Geographic Average signals a system issue) these diagnostics can then be used to remediate the issue and improve the system's performance. The diagnostics can be broken out into periods of different length (24 hours, 7 days and 1 month) which have the following benefits: (i) 24 Hour Comparisons: While a 5 minute segment may show variance between one renewable energy system and the group's Geographic Average, the variance may not be due to any inherent system issue (e.g. a single cloud may be temporarily affecting one system without impacting others in the vicinity). However, over a 24 hour period, these environmental factors are normally controlled for, and any significant variance will reveal a legitimate system issue. The fact that this is done over a rolling 24 hours means that the information will be received by the renewable system owner or service provider relatively quickly, without the requirement of waiting for a weekly or monthly report; (ii) Weekly Comparisons: Though this does not provide the same sort of timely information that is provided by 24 Hour Comparisons, the additional data will allow for more accurate diagnostic comparisons since environmental variables will have even less impact; (iii) Monthly Comparisons: While more accurate than Weekly Comparison, this will be used mostly as a reporting mechanism to show system status and performance.

The sample system may have at least one inverter (14) in communication with the monitored electrical system (e.g. 50, 30). The inverter (14) is an electronic circuit that converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). There may also be at least one return monitor (18) determining the energy returned to a grid by said at-least one monitored electrical system. The method may have the step of determining at least one background constant and saving each background constant in the data server(s). The monitored electrical system (e.g. 30, 50) may be at least partially powered by at least one alternate energy source. There may be at least one generation monitoring device (e.g. 58), which calculates the energy generated at each consumer's premises by the monitored electrical system (e.g. 30, 50); at least one communication node (64) in communication with each at least one generation monitoring device (e.g. 58); at least one data server (10) in communication with communication node (e.g. 64), wherein the data server(s) (10) accept information from the communication node (e.g. 64) to determine the power generated at a first user's premises (100) and compare the power generated at a first user's premises (100) to Comparative Information obtained from at least two monitored electrical systems (e.g. 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114) to determine if the first user's monitored electrical system (100) is within a predetermined deviation from the Comparative Information. This may provide a Comparative Value. The communication node may be further comprising a data storage means for storing usage information. For example, the communication node (64) may be a computer with a hard drive that acts as a data storage means for storing usage information. The generation monitoring device may be selected from the group consisting of pulse meter, temperature meter, electromechanical meter, solid state meter, flow meter, electric meter, energy meter and watt meter. There may also be at least one return monitoring device in communication with the inverter which calculates the energy returned to a grid by the system.

The monitored electrical system may be, for example, a solar system, solar panel system, photovoltaic, thermal, wind powered, geothermal, hydropower. A secondary energy source (e.g. 52) may be in communication with and at least partially powering the monitored electrical system. It should be understood, though, this is only for ancillary power in the event that the renewable energy source (50) is not capable of entirely powering the at premise monitored electrical system.

The Generation Monitoring Device may be any type of meter, by way of example, this may include a pulse meter, temperature meter, electromechanical meter, solid state meter, flow meter, electric meter, energy meter and watt meter. Each installation of the Invention will have a communication node or hub set up at the location with the system. One of the communication nodes may act as a hub. These devices connect to the internet and send the data collected by the nodes to the Server. They have the following properties: The hub has a web server and connects to a standard internet connection (Ethernet). It does not require a computer or other device to make this connection. Each hub has its own unique IP or DNS address. The hub is configured by a web browser. The web browser allows the hub to have specific nodes assigned to it. This set up feature will allow another hub in the area to be set up with its own nodes so that all can operate wirelessly without disruption. Also, the hub is able to configure specific aspects of the hub, such as the connection with the server, data recording and time settings and the ability to configure the attached nodes, including their recording properties.

The hub may connect wirelessly or through wire-line including through AC power to the various nodes in its network and may handle several nodes, sending up the data of each within a separate data stream to the server. Typically the hub would plug into a standard AC outlet and have LEDs to show operation and diagnostics. The hub may also record data, so that if the Internet connection is ever down, data from the nodes will not be lost. It will also have the option of a tamper resistant casing and minor router capabilities—so that it could stand in front of a standard router and act as the primary data entry point for a location. The hub will also be able to operate behind a router. All of the hubs may connect to a centralized database for data aggregation. This database will be able to relate the information from each node according to the time recorded. Specific data which will be saved may include: (1) hub IP#/DNS information; (2) node IP#/DNS information/name; (3) Timestamp increment; (4) Hot water flow by unit (gallon or liter) per time increment; (5) Electric flow by unit (kilowatts) per time increment; (6) Fuel flow by unit (depends on fuel type) per time increment; and (7) Other information as required (e.g. water temperature).

Each installation of the Invention will have typically one or more generation recording nodes. In this way, the step of remotely acquiring required data for at least one monitored electrical system to provide acquired electrical system data may be carried out. The generation recording node may be typically connected wirelessly to the hub, and connected directly to the inputs/outputs from the monitored electrical system. They communicate constantly with the various devices and transfer data which is then sent to the server. They may have the following properties: The first required node connects to a flow meter attached to the Water Tank that is connected to the Solar Hot Water system. This node will operate as a pulse meter, ‘clicking’ whenever a unit (either a gallon or a liter) of hot water passes from the tank. The second required node connects to either the electric panel at the switch for the Hot Water tank's electric power OR to a flow/other meter for gas/oil to the secondary heater for the Hot Water tank. The node may have a data storage means for storing flow/usage information. There may also be other nodes, which may be used to measure other aspects of the system and gain even more accurate readings. For example: the temperature of the hot water on an ongoing basis. The system may be monitored from a remote location (such as a computer in a different location).

It is envisioned that the present invention provides a set of devices, systems and methods to accurately and remotely measure the utilized energy generated from Solar Hot Water (SHW) systems in real-time. Specifically, the data input from a pulse meter (which is connected to a flow meter from the hot water tank) and the data input from a Watt meter (which is connected to an electrical panel for secondary electrical heating in the hot water tank) OR another pulse meter (which is connected to a flow meter on a fuel line that serves as a secondary heating source) may be calculated and software used to combine them on a centralized server. The combined data is then used to calculate the utilized energy generated by the Solar Hot Water system by determining the total amount of energy represented by the hot water used and subtracting any secondary energy (e.g. electrical or fuel) that was also used to heat the water. With additional calculations which take into account the general starting temperature of the water entering the tank and also subtracting for any energy used for other purposes (e.g. pumping water), the system will be able to isolate the precise utilized energy generated by the renewable (i.e. solar) component of the system. This will result in an accurate measurement of the renewable energy generated and consumed for a given time-period which can then be used to monitor efficiency, determine the actual payback period of the system, qualify for incentives and carbon credits, etc.

Each installation may have two or more Data Nodes. These are typically connected wirelessly to the Hub, and connected directly to the inputs/outputs from the Solar Hot Water system. They communicate constantly with the Hub, transferring data which the Hub then sends up to the server. They may have the following properties: The first Required Node connects to a flow meter attached to the Water Tank that is connected to the Solar Hot Water system. This Node will operate as a pulse meter, ‘clicking’ whenever a unit (either a gallon or a liter) of hot water passes from the tank. The second Required Node connects to either the electric panel at the switch for the Hot Water tank's electric power OR to a flow/other meter for gas/oil to the secondary heater for the Hot Water tank. The Node may have a data storage means for storing flow/usage information. Together, the data gathered from these Required Node connections allow the software on the serve to convert the utilized hot water into an accurate reading of utilized solar energy by subtracting the energy required to by the secondary heating mechanism. The term utilized generation refers to the energy generated by the at-premise power system, less any energy that has not been consumed by the at premise power system (e.g. the energy used to heat water that remains in the tank and is not subsequently used). Note that the term “at-premise power system” is one type of monitored electrical system, as claimed. There may also be other Nodes, which may be used to measure other aspects of the system and gain even more accurate readings. For example: the temperature of the hot water on an ongoing basis. The system may be monitored from a remote location (such as a computer in a different location).

Typically each Node connects to a specific hub. It is set up to do so through the browser interface for the Hub. The connection to the Hub is typically wireless, though these can also be connected through Ethernet wiring. Wireless transmissions between the Hub and Nodes will have data encryption. There will be the ability to create a tamper resistant casing around the Node. This is important to ensure the accuracy of the actual power utilized. The Node has two wire input areas for pulses. These, combined with the time stamp, will be sent up to the Server. The computer processor implemented server may be at a remote location. The Node also has a connection for a Watt sensor. This will have the following characteristics: The Watt sensor can handle 1-3 phase hook ups and will be compatible with clamps as well as loop sensors. According to one embodiment, the basic formula to calculate utilized generation for a given period is as follows: util=(f11*temp*cony*dur)−(f12*dur)

In this formula, util is the utilized generation, or utilized power generated, by the SHW system for the period, fi/ is the flow in units of hot water from the hot water tank during the time increment (flow is the usage for a water heater, it may be other measures for different at premise power systems), temp variable is the difference between the starting temperature of the water when it enters the tank and when it leaves. In the basic conversion equation, this will be kept as a constant, but for systems with material changes in entry and exit temperature, these will be measured and included in the equation. An example of this would be for a system in which the cold water pipe entering the system is not insulated and is exposed to outdoor conditions, cony is a conversion constant variable which is the constant for converting the BTUs required to heat the water from the entry to exit temperature (or temp) into Kilowatts, dur variable is the period. This will generally be a month, though a shorter period may be chosen. The fl2 variable is the flow in units of energy for the secondary heating source. It is important to note that the calculation will be different if the secondary heating source is provided by fuel. This is recorded in the same length increments as the fil variable.

The components (node (100), hub (102) and server (10) make up the required core components needed to accurately measures the actual usable output from a Solar Hot Water (SHW) system. Essentially, the hub (102) connects to multiple nodes (100) which simultaneously measure the secondary power going into the system along with the hot water going out. Controlling for any background power requirements (e.g. for pumping), it can measure the usable BTUs created by solar by analyzing the measurements at the server (104) level.

It is very important to be able to measure the usable energy generated by Solar Hot Water systems (SHW systems). As the most efficient systems available by a significant margin compared to Photovoltaics (PV), Solar Hot Water system can provide high-efficiency, inexpensive power today. But not only are they less well known/publicized than PVs, it can be difficult to precisely prove their effectiveness since there are fewer ways to efficiently measure their utilized production than with PVs. This makes accurate payback calculations more difficult, and may prevent some companies from purchasing these systems. Another important reason to be able to accurately measure the utilized power from SHW systems is to benefit from incentives. While many states have general rebates for SHW system for homeowners, larger installations, which potentially have greater commercial and environmental benefits are more difficult to apply for since an easy method of accurately monitoring the usable power generated and converting it over time into kilowatt hours is not readily available. Also, this would allow the sale/trading of carbon credits from SHW systems. the ability to remotely monitor utilized energy in real time provides addition capabilities on the part of those maintaining the solar systems in terms of their ability to find issues and increase the systems' efficiency.

Once information regarding utilized generation has been generated, it may be displayed on a portal for use in the following: determining the exact utilized power generated by the SHW system for a given duration to calculate the impact of the system (and potentially its actual payback period); Calculating utilized power for monitoring and diagnostics vis-a-vis anticipated performance; Calculating power generated for incentives and carbon credits. To determine the carbon credits, the method may comprise the step of calculating an equivalent amount of carbon which would have been created to generate the power utilized for the at least one Period to provide a carbon deficit. Also, the method may comprise the step of offering carbon credits according to the carbon deficit. The step of calculating carbon deficit may take into account any energy generated. The Carbon credit Periods may start on the first of a month and end on the last day of a month. This may match the billing cycles.

The at least one at-premise monitored electrical system may be a solar system, solar panel system, photovoltaic, thermal, wind powered, geothermal, hydropower or any other system. Also, the terms at-premises, on premises and at-premise are interchangeable and equivalent. Additionally, for those interested in heating and cooling their dwelling via renewable energy, geothermal heat pump systems that tap the constant temperature of the earth, which is around 7 to 15 degrees Celsius a few feet underground, are an option and save money over conventional natural gas and petroleum-fueled heat approaches. The term at premises renewable power system does not include conventional natural gas and petroleum fueled heat.

The method may further comprise the steps of: monitoring the system from a remote location; and monitoring the utilized generation from a remote location. The method may comprise the steps of: generating an alert when the customer variables are a prescribed percentage different than historical averages. The method may also comprise the steps of monitoring and storing the consumer's customer variables and utilized generation.

The present invention provides a computer processor implemented method of determining system configuration information of a monitored electrical system (e.g. 502) without the need for user input, the method comprising the steps of; constructing a data set of standard performance curves for at least one system type to provide a data set with at least one system type and correlated standard performance curves. Different types of systems have different signatures in the form of standard performance curves from which the system type can be identified. For example, a solar photovoltaic system tends to have an energy profile that looks like FIG. 6, and is dependent on the time of day and weather conditions. Wind generation systems tend to have an energy profile that is highly correlated with the wind speed. Residential consumption patterns tend peak in late afternoon, with offsets for any distributed generation that is located on-site. Patterns in energy data for solar PV, wind, residential consumption, etc. can be identified by comparing the pattern of the energy in the data stream to typical patterns as described above, with consideration for the time of year and weather conditions associated with the data stream. Based on the amount of data available, and how well it matches the typical patterns, a level of confidence can be assigned to identifying a data stream as coming from a particular type of system.

The method may comprise the step of saving the data set with at least one system type and correlated standard performance curves (for example 700, as shown in FIG. 6) in at least one data server (516). The method may next comprise the step of defining at least one characteristic feature for each at least one system type to provide at least one system type and correlated characteristic feature and saving the at least one system type and correlated characteristic feature in the at least one data server (516). A characteristic feature may be, for example, time of sunrise, time of sunset, associated timestamps, energy consumption, wind system output, weather, configuration, time of year, user habits, system size, tracker versus fixed, energy profile shape, east west orientation, north-south orientation, homeowner type, heating type, temperature sensitivity, consumption data, utilized energy, utilized generation, system derate factors and air conditioning status. It is envisioned that there may be an infinite number of characteristic features. However, it is only important that a characteristic feature be able to be attributed to a system type. There may also be a number of characteristic features assigned to a single system type. There may also be the step of providing a timestamp associated with at least one data set and saving the timestamp associated with at least one data set in the data server. The method may comprise the step of determining the required data to identify the at least one system type according to at least one of standard performance curve and characteristic feature. There may be the step of remotely acquiring required data for at least one monitored electrical system to provide acquired electrical system data; comparing system acquired electrical system data to at least one system type and correlated standard performance curves and system type and correlated characteristic features to provide system configuration information for at least one monitored electrical system to provide the specific type of at least one monitored electrical system. The specific type may refer to the type of monitored electrical system, the location, the installation angle, the system configuration, the model number or any information regarding that particular unit. The system configuration information may be selected from the group consisting of location, longitude, system size, system type and installation angle. Again, there are an infinite number of things that could be system configuration information. The standard performance curve may be selected from the group consisting of energy production profile, geographic average profile, degradation due to temperature, east west orientation, north-south orientation, homeowner type, heating type and air conditioning status.

The method may further comprising the step of: determining a geographic average performance; comparing at least one monitored electrical systems performance to the geographic average performance; alerting at least one user when the at least one monitored electrical systems performance is a predetermined amount lower than the geographic average performance. The user may be the owner of the monitored electrical system, may be a renter, or simply a person who leases the equipment. It may be desirable to perform the steps of: determining if the monitored electrical system can be remotely adjusted; and remotely making a change to said at least one monitored electrical system. The present invention also envisions the steps of: loading background constants and diagnostic variables into the data server.

The methodology for completing automated remote identification, according to one aspect of the present invention, is to construct a large data set of example patterns for certain types of systems, define certain features that tend to be characteristic of the systems in the data set, and use either statistical correlation techniques, or machine learning optimization (e.g. neural networks) to define classification thresholds, nun empirical tests to determine the needed amount of data (i.e., length of history & granularity) in order to automatically identify a system type and use the developed thresholds feature sets and data history thresholds to automatically classify data streams according to different system types. It is also possible to determine the location where a particular solar powered system (generation or consumption) is physically located. This is because the characteristics of the monitored data are influenced by geographic-specific characteristics, like sunrise/sunset times or weather characteristics. As long as the monitored data stream has associated timestamps, it is possible to determine the location by finding a geographic location that would best match the observed energy consumption or generation characteristics of the monitored data stream. For example, if the type of generation source (or consumption) is known, one can model the expected behavior of this generation or consumption data stream under actual recorded weather around the world (including sunrise sunset times), and the best fitting match statistically is likely to be the actual physical location. A few specific examples of how this invention may be applied to determine a device's location follow herein. The solar photovoltaic (PV) system's output will peek at solar noon, so by examining the system's time of peak output (in UTC or some reference time zone), one can calculate the longitude and timezone a PV system is operating in. The output of solar PV systems are highly dependent upon weather. By maintaining a time history of weather conditions across a large area (e.g., North America and Europe), and modeling PV system outputs across all of these geographies, one can match the time history of a PV system's output to the geography of data it most closely matches. This matching process can be improved by narrowing the range of geographic areas (e.g. using the preceding longitudinal technique), or by improving the estimated model output of a PV system via leveraging known system characteristics (either known beforehand or identified as described in the section below about “Identification of system information for a solar PV system”). Output from a wind system is highly dependent on wind conditions. By maintaining a time history of weather conditions across a large area, and modeling the wind system outputs across all the locations, one can match the time history of a wind system's output to the geographic location it most closely matches. Energy consumption by residential or commercial users tends to be both time-of-day dependent (e.g., people come home from work and turn on the television) and weather dependent (e.g., more air-conditioners will be running on hot days). These time and weather dependencies make it possible to perform the same type of statistical matching exercise on consumption data as is done on generation data for renewable energy systems. By maintaining a time history of weather conditions across a large geographic area that the consumption system is known to be within (e.g. North America or Europe), it is possible to statistically match what the most likely location is for the consumption monitoring system.

Once a broad system type has been identified, it is possible to further refine the understanding of the system in the field by identifying the particular characteristics of those systems. This can be done by understanding the drivers of the performance of the systems in the field (e.g., weather, configuration, time of year, user habits, etc.). The following are particular configuration parameters for a solar PV system that can be identified in an automated fashion. This patent application is both for these particular detailed algorithms, as well as the broader idea illustrated here (i.e., similar types of automated configuration information can be determined for other types of systems including wind, consumption, solar thermal, etc.). The basic idea is to identify features as deviations from a typical PV standard performance curve (700), as shown in FIG. 6. The following is a non-exhaustive list of example parameters like be determined by comparing features of the data stream with the standard performance curve in FIG. 6. FIGS. 6-11 provide examples of standard performance curves and acquired electrical system data.

The size of a monitored electrical system, such as a PV system, can be estimated from measured outputs. If little additional system information is known, the system outputs can simply be scaled for typical PV system derates (i.e., expected losses from things like resistance in wires, inverter efficiency, etc.). If more detailed information is available on the system, either from user input, or from automatically derived parameters as described below, this more detailed information can be used to more finely tune the expected system derate factors, and therefore more accurately estimate system size. Solar PV tracker systems tend to have a less peaked energy profile, with greater total generation, as shown in FIG. 7. This is because they keep the inclined PV surface normal to sun, such that it captures more solar radiation early or late in the day. System matching this type of performance profile can be identified as tracker-type systems. The tracker profile (702) has a less peaked energy profile than the fixed (704) profile as depicted in FIG. 7. In this example, the tracker profile (702) may be the acquired electrical system data and the fixed profile (704) may be the standard performance curve. However, it could be reversed, as long as it is saved in the data set as the system type and correlated standard performance curves. In this way, either profile could serve as the standard performance curve or the acquired electrical system data. This applied for each of the curves shown in FIGS. 6-11, as long as we know what the performance curve is and the associated data set.

Solar PV designers often undersize and inverter for cost saving reasons. If the inverter is substantially undersized, this can show up as shaved peaks (706) in the PV generation profile. If these shaved peaks appear, they indicate the maximum capacity of the inverter for a particular system. An example of these shaved peaks is shown below in FIG. 8, and they can be easily identified by the flat top, where normally a curved surface (708) would appear.

Solar PV cells produce less power under diffuse light conditions (i.e., cloudy days) than under a bright clear sunny day. Thin-film PV cells are relatively less impacted by diffuse light, as compared to polycrystalline PV cells. Examining the ratio of system performance on clear sunny days to cloudy days with diffuse light, one can differentiate between thin-film and crystalline PV systems, as shown in FIG. 9, where it can be seen that an example thin-film PV system is less impacted than a similar-sized crystalline silicon system (i.e., the ratio of B/A is greater than C/A) FIG. 9 depicts the impact of diffuse light on crystalline vs. thin film solar PV systems. FIG. 9 depicts the 5 minute kWh production by the time of day. As can be seen the clean day (crystalline and thin film) (710) system performance can serve as a measuring point to the thin film PV on a cloudy day (712) and crystalline silicon PV on a cloudy day (714). Once the performance of a particular system is obtained, it may be compared to the standard performance curves as depicted in FIG. 9 and it may be determined the type of system.

Another measure of the difference between cell technologies, is the sensitivity of those cells to temperature. At higher temperatures PV modules will produce less energy. However, the amount of degradation with an increase in temperature is dependent upon the PV technology. For example, FIG. 10 shows how crystalline silicon PV systems are more significantly affected by increases in temperature, relative to similarly sized thin-film systems. By assessing the amount of degradation due to temperature (e.g., comparing the data stream for two different days, where the measured ambient temperature was different across the days, using reference cells and various thin-film technology performance curves), one can estimate what the likely PV technology involved is.

FIG. 11 depicts a baseline vs. hot-weather degradation impact for thin-film and crystalline silicon PV systems. With respect to east-west orientation: If a PV system is perfectly flat, the distribution of energy produced in the morning and the afternoon should be roughly even, as depicted by flat plate line 722 showing no east west tilt. If the PV system is angled towards the east more energy will be produced in the morning than the evening, and vice versa if the system has a western tilt. A western-tilted PV system is illustrated in FIG. 11 as line 724. Examining the skew in the PV production data one can estimate the aggregate east-west angle of the system in question, thus determining the angle at which the PV modules are inclined from the data alone. FIG. 11 provides an example of how a western-tilted PV system has a skewed generation profile.

North-south orientation: the Sun is much higher in the sky in the summer than in winter, so the amount of PV generation tends to be much higher at solar noon in the summer and then solar noon in the winter, assuming a flat plate panel with no inclination. FIG. 12 depicts PV generation standard performance curve for a summer day 726, winter with no tilt 728 and winter with southern tilt 730. If the solar PV cells are angled more towards the south, the change in energy output from summer to winter will be less (and vice versa for Northern angled PV cells), as shown in FIG. 12. The ratio of summer to winter production (e.g., B/A vs. C/A in FIG. 12) is largely determined by the north-south orientation of the PV array, so with production data that spans summer and winter months, the north-south inclination can be estimated.

If a PV system is partially shaded, the shading can be detected as a dip in the otherwise expected smooth generation curve, as illustrated in 14. If this power production dip (as depicted by line 734) consistently appears over time, it is indicative of some sort of shading factor (e.g., tree line, adjacent buildings, etc.). Line 734 represents acquired electrical system data for a system having a shading factor. Line 732 represents a standard performance curve. In this way, the present invention can detect a potential problem and notify the user. This may be particularly useful, for example, if a tree may be trimmed to reveal the solar panels resulting in increased production. In this way, the present invention may comprise the step of identifying a resolvable problem (e.g. a tree creating partial shading) and contacting the consumer (e.g. send the consumer an email) if the system acquired electrical system data deviates a predetermined amount from the standard performance curve.

Substantial information about the configuration of a home or business that underlies a energy consumption monitoring system can be acquired by observing the pattern of consumption data. A number of specific examples for this type of information acquisition were defined above for solar PV systems. The same idea of examining the data stream, and tying it to a underlying model of how the system works, can be used to test hypotheses for what underlies the consumption data stream. Hypotheses that prove true indicate data about the configuration of the home or business for which the consumption data is being gathered. The examples provided are intended to describe the present invention, but are not intended to be made in a limiting sense. It is envisioned the present invention in intended to be able to identify underlying demand system characteristics from the data stream.

The present invention provides a computer processor (e.g. 10) implemented method of developing irradiance mapping using a distributed network of solar photovoltaic systems (e.g. 102, 104, 106), the method comprising the steps of: selecting a predetermined geographic area having at least five solar photovoltaic systems to provide a photovoltaic system (107); calibrating the photovoltaic system (107) and reversing the photovoltaic system performance model using a computer processor to solve the irradiance input value. The step of reversing the photovoltaic system performance model using a computer processor to solve the irradiance input value may be performed according to simple methods. One example may have only two inputs: P=A+BT _(m) *H;+CH;+DH; ², where

-   -   T_(m)=PV array temperature     -   H;=incident irradiance     -   P=power generated     -   A, B, C, and D are constants determined by least square fits

The solar panels convert the irradiance to electric energy, at a rate dependent on a large number of factors. There are many possible models for this conversion process, but two of the most significant factors are temperature and irradiance. Accordingly, this is a simple power model. The temperature may obtained from a third party internet weather feed source and saved in the at least one data server. Alternatively, the temperature may be obtained by a temperate probe and saved in a data server. The present invention may perform step of calculating irradiance according to the irradiance input value, energy output and weather data using a computer processor to provide a single irradiance point; and mapping at least two said single irradiance points to create an irradiance map. There may be the step of determining an irradiance input value from system performance values, the calibrated system performance model and the temperature The energy output may be determined as the DC power from the solar PV panel is converted to AC power by an inverter. Locus Energy's gateway then measures the AC power generated Locus Energy's gateway communicates the AC power generation data (plus additional data from the inverter where available) back to a centralized server over the internet as the energy output. Using energy output, temperature, system configuration information, and other relevant data for the PV performance model, irradiance is calculated for each system in the geographic area. The irradiance calculations may be smoothed, eliminating outliers and converging on a good estimate of the average irradiance in the local region.

The present invention provides a time series sequence of observations in the form of irradiance measurements which are ordered in time. Inherent in the collection of this type of data is some form of variations. There are many methods for reducing the effect due to such variations. This may be referred to as “smoothing” or “reducing the noise”. When applied, these techniques more clearly reveal the underlying trends of the data. According to one aspect of the present invention, there may be the step of smoothing at least two single irradiance points. The generated irradiance data is used to construct a detailed irradiance map of the region, and further smooth the data on longer time scales leveraging information from satellite models and new PV systems or weather stations that are installed in a given area. One manner to accomplish smoothing may be by providing moving averages. Moving averages rank among the most popular techniques for the preprocessing of time series. They are used to filter random “white noise” from the data, to make the time series smoother or even to emphasize certain informational components contained in the time series. Exponential Smoothing is also a very popular scheme to produce a smoothed Time Series. Whereas in Moving Averages the past observations are weighted equally, Exponential Smoothing assigns exponentially decreasing weights as the observation get older. In other words, recent observations are given relatively more weight in forecasting than the older observations. Double Exponential Smoothing is better at handling trends. Triple Exponential Smoothing is better at handling parabola trends. An exponentially weighted moving average with a smoothing constant a, corresponds roughly to a simple moving average of length (i.e., period) n, where a and n are related by: a=2/(n+1) OR n=(2−a)/a. Thus, for example, an exponentially weighted moving average with a smoothing constant equal to 0.1 would correspond roughly to a 19 day moving average. And a 40-day simple moving average would correspond roughly to an exponentially weighted moving average with a smoothing constant equal to 0.04878. How to compare several smoothing methods: Although there are numerical indicators for assessing the accuracy of the forecasting technique, the most widely approach is in using visual comparison of several forecasts to assess their accuracy and choose among the various forecasting methods. In this approach, one must plot (using, e.g., Excel) on the same graph the original values of a time series variable and the predicted values from several different forecasting methods, thus facilitating a visual comparison. The foregoing example of smoothing techniques are provided as examples, as can be appreciated by those of skill in the art, there are many smoothing techniques the goal of which is to more clearly reveal the underlying trends of the data.

There may be the step of utilizing comparative information from nearby photovoltaic systems to provide at least one comparative information irradiance point; and mapping the at least two single irradiance points and at least one comparative information irradiance point to create the irradiance map. This may also be actual irradiance readings from irradiance sensors. In this way, it can supplement the data achieved according to the present invention.

This may be repeated for other geographic areas to assemble a larger-scale irradiance map (See FIG. 14 for a sample irradiance map). Note that typically, an irradiance map may provide the amount of solar radiation in kWh/m²/day. There may also be the step of predicting irradiance based on extrapolation of current data and weather forecasts.

There may be the step of automatically automatically determining system configuration information for the solar photovoltaic systems; and utilizing the system configuration information to perform the step of reversing the photovoltaic system performance model using a computer processor to solve the irradiance input value. This may be accomplished by constructing a data set of at least one standard performance curve for at least one system type to provide a data set with at least one system type and correlated standard performance curves and saving the data set with at least one system type and correlated standard performance curves in at least one data server; defining at least one characteristic feature for each at least one system type to provide at least one system type and correlated characteristic feature and saving at least one system type and correlated characteristic feature in at least one data server; determining the required data to identify at least one system type according to at least one of standard performance curve and characteristic feature; remotely acquiring the required data for at least one solar photovoltaic system to provide acquired solar photovoltaic systems data and saving the acquired solar photovoltaic systems data in at least one data server; comparing system acquired solar photovoltaic systems data to at least one system type and correlated standard performance curves and system type and correlated characteristic features to provide system configuration information for at least one solar photovoltaic system to provide the specific type of at least one solar photovoltaic system.

Irradiance mapping of a geographic region: Sunlight mapping is used across a number of domains, since it is a geographic-based data set from which user can apply the data sets to their particular problem. Similar to transportation maps, vegetation maps, political maps, etc, the irradiance maps can serve a wide variety of purposes for people needing to understand the geographic relationship, including how the geographic relationship has varied/will vary over time.

Historical irradiance records: Historical irradiance maps can be used in a variety of domains: Renewable energy evaluations: understanding historical variations in irradiance can help with assessing the value of deploying solar in a particular region, particular when used in conjunction with other renewable energy maps (e.g., assessing the value of combining wind, solar, and hydro power in a particular region). Additionally, irradiance maps can be used to understand historical performance of installed solar photovoltaic systems. Building evaluations: understanding historical irradiance can be used to assess what type of building design is appropriate for a given area (e.g., what level of insulation is needed, what should the window design be, etc., to achieve the desired level of human comfort and building energy efficiency). The historical irradiance map can also be used to understand historical energy consumption by a building, accounting for the amount of sunlight energy that was incident on the building. In civil engineering and hydrology: Irradiance maps can be used to build numerical models of snowmelt runoff, an important tool for everything from reservoir design for hydropower, dam and flood control infrastructure assessments, water availability for drinking water or agricultural purposes, etc. Irradiance maps are a critical input for all these models, since the amount of sunlight energy (irradiance) drives the rate at which water is being released from a melting snowpack. Agricultural assessments: Irradiance maps can be used to model and understand historical crop growth patterns, as well as understand potential crop growth in certain areas.

Current irradiance map: Current-state irradiance maps can be used across a variety of domains, similar to the historical records. Renewable energy evaluations: Current irradiance maps can be used to understand current performance of installed solar photovoltaic systems. Building evaluations: Current irradiance map can be used to understand current state energy consumption by a building, accounting for the amount of sunlight energy that is incident on the building. This can be used to analyze current building energy consumption, identify deviations in building energy consumption form expectations, and optimize a building's control systems to most efficiently handle the current irradiance load. In civil engineering and hydrology: Current irradiance maps can be used to operate real-time numerical models of snowmelt runoff, an important tool for operating and predicting the water impact on everything from reservoir design for hydropower, dam and flood control infrastructure assessments, water availability for drinking water or agricultural purposes, etc. Irradiance maps are a critical input for all these models, since the amount of sunlight energy (irradiance) drives the rate at which water is being released from a melting snowpack. Agricultural assessments: Current irradiance maps can be used to model and predict crop growth that is currently occurring, which can then be used to forecast harvest volumes and supply impacts, along with the impact of these supply changes on commodity markets (e.g., corn futures, wheat futures, soybean futures, etc.).

Forecast irradiance map: Forecasting irradiance maps can be used for all the same purposes as a current-state irradiance map, but applied to understanding how the irradiance will change in near future and optimally planning for that state. Renewable energy evaluations: Forecasts can be used to estimate future output from solar photovoltaic systems. Building evaluations: Forecasts can be used to optimize the building control systems to lower operational costs (e.g., pre-cool the building on the morning of a forecasted sunny day, so as to consume the electrical energy earlier in the day when electric power prices are lower). In civil engineering and hydrology: Forecast irradiance maps can be used to operate forecasting numerical models of snowmelt runoff, an important tool for operating and predicting the water impact on everything from reservoir design for hydropower, dam and flood control infrastructure assessments, water availability for drinking water or agricultural purposes, etc. Agricultural assessments: Forecast irradiance maps can be used to model and predict crop growth that is will occur, which can then be used to forecast harvest volumes and supply impacts, along with the impact of these supply changes on commodity markets (e.g., corn futures, wheat futures, soybean futures, etc.).

Solar resource assessment (identifying locations where solar PV, bio-mass production, etc., could be valuable). Solar resource assessments are a sub-type of the work described above for irradiance maps. The historical, current, and forecast irradiance maps could be used to identify locations where solar photovoltaic, bio-mass production, or other solar-dependent resources would be most valuable. This can be important when searching for a suitable location to deploy a planned solar resource dependent asset, or when assessing what value solar resources could add to a property under consideration for acquisition or development.

Evaluation of solar projects: This is a specific sub-type of the general irradiance mapping use case described above. Performance yield of solar projects: Solar photovoltaic system performance can be assessed based on the amount of energy output as electricity, vs. the amount of sunlight energy as input, known in industry as “performance yield”. Irradiance estimates from the model described in this patent can be used to perform this performance yield analysis both retroactively as well as on a real-time basis. Performance yield assessments are very useful to both the owners and operators of a solar photovoltaic system, so the assessments are very valuable tools. System degradation analysis: Solar photovoltaic systems degrade over time. Understanding the different rates of degradation, which can vary due to equipment technology, climate, and manufacturing quality, is very important for owners and operators of solar photovoltaic systems. Leveraging historic and current irradiance estimates from the model in this patent, in conjunction with the actual energy produced by the PV system, enable estimates of the actual system degradation rate (e.g., if irradiance is constant and output is decreasing, the system is degrading in performance). Thermal simulations of materials (e.g. PV panel temperature). Thermal changes in materials can have a variety of impacts on those materials, from changing their performance properties (e.g., solar PV system are less efficient when hot) to affecting their degradation rates (e.g., hotter systems may degrade more rapidly). Since irradiance is a major driver of material temperature, historic and current estimates of irradiance from the model in this patent can be used as input to simulations of the thermal state of materials, and then the analysis of the impact of that thermal state on behavior.

Evaluation of construction projects. Thermal profile of a potential building for siting purposes. Understanding irradiance can be important when making design and siting decisions for a potential new building. Irradiance is important for modeling the thermal building characteristics (thermal profile of a proposed or existing building) for air-conditioning or heating requirements, to ensure optimal design specification (e.g., insulation ratings to be used) or equipment sizing (e.g., appropriate capacity of air conditioners or heating units). Irradiance is important for energy efficiency evaluation and tracking of building performance. Using the irradiance estimates in this patent, one can assess the environmental load (e.g., including sunlight energy in hot seasons) and compare it to the energy consumption of the building (e.g., for air conditioning) to assess the efficiency of the building. Performance of civil engineering structures changes with temperature. For example, steel expands and becomes less rigid with increasing temperature. These effects have significant implications for structures like large buildings and bridges. The irradiance model in this patent provides the capability to better model the sunlight heating element of understanding the structure's performance.

Crop growth modeling. Historical and current crop yield assessments: Irradiance modeling in this patent can be used to understand historical crop growth patterns, e.g., the expected yield rate in a particular geography, given a certain amount of sunlight. Crop growth assessments: Current irradiance estimates and forecasts can be used to forecast crop growth, assess the current state of growth, or estimate the difference in growth between two points in time.

Climate modeling. Weather modeling: Irradiance is an important element of weather modeling, since sunlight energy is a primary driver of weather patterns. Snow and ice coverage modeling (current and historical): As described above in the civil engineering and hydrology section, irradiance has a significant impact on snow melt. The current and forecast irradiance can be used to estimate the amount of snowmelt that will occur, which determines that the remaining snow and ice will be (i.e., irradiance is a key input to modeling the snow and ice coverage of an area). Estimating the albedo effects from changes in snow melt: Albedo is the reflection coefficient of a surface, and is an important concept in climatology, because it determines how much sunlight energy is absorbed as heat rather than reflected back into space. Snow has a high albedo, since it reflects most light. Since irradiance impact snow melt, which in turn decreases albedo, which in turn affects the climate, the irradiance model in this patent plays an important role in estimating the future albedo in an area (i.e., the irradiance model can be used to predict snow melt, which can then be used to predict albedo as an input to climate models). Hydrology modeling: The irradiance model can be used to estimate snow melt, which provides input to models or estimates of available water for agriculture, drinking water, and other purposes.

The present invention envisions a system for the estimation of ground level global horizontal irradiance based on the combination of visible and infrared spectrum satellite imagery, atmospheric water vapor content data, snow cover data, topographic data and/or atmospheric turbidity.

The Methodology is comprised of the following background variables, input parameters and logic based on those variables parameters.

WATER VAPOR DATA: This is water vapor column information that is obtained via reconstruction from a raw data feed from a multispectral imager on an orbiting satellite. This information is distributed freely on the public internet.

SATELLITE IMAGERY: This is satellite images that are obtained from an internet geostationary satellite imagery feed. The feed includes satellite images of both the visible and infrared spectrums. This information is distributed freely on the public internet.

SATELLITE IMAGE TRANSLATION LOGIC: This is the logic for translating satellite image pixels for use in solar irradiance models. It is used to geolocate points of interest in the raw imagery generated by the satellites in geostationary orbit.

SOLAR IRRADIANCE DATA: This includes both historical ground-sensor based measurements of solar irradiance that are distributed via the public internet and historical ground-sensor based measurements from proprietary data stores. The irradiance data feeds include global horizontal irradiance, direct normal irradiance, and diffuse horizontal irradiance among other variables.

SNOW COVER DATA: Estimates of the depth of snow on the ground for the regions and times for which irradiance estimates are made.

TOPOGRAPHIC DATA: Elevation data for geographic region for which irradiance estimates are made.

ATMOSPHERIC TURBIDITY DATA: Estimates of the degree to which light is transmitted through the atmosphere under clear sky conditions for the region in which irradiance estimates are made.

LOCATION & TIME VARIABLES: These are various variables corresponding to a location and time. These variables include latitude, longitude, altitude, date, and time among other variables.

THEORETICAL IRRADIANCE CALCULATIONS: These are formulas that calculate the clear sky global horizontal irradiance. The calculations are based on established astronomical formulas and peer reviewed meteorological formulas. The astronomical formulas calculate the solar position and the meteorological formulas generate clear sky irradiance based on the solar position.

Augmented Solar Irradiance Estimation Algorithms. Definition of Variables.

idx=Numerical identifier for a location for which GHI measurements exist.

ts=UTC timestamp

V_(idx,ts)=Visible Spectrum pixel intensity value from satellite image for a particular location and timestamp

IR_(1,idx,ts) . . . IR_(m,idx,ts)=Infrared pixel intensity value for spectral band, m, for a particular location and timestamp

E_(idx)=Elevation for a location with a particular numerical identifier, idx

S_(idx,ts)=Snow cover for a location and timestamp

T_(idx,ts)=Atmospheric turbidity for a location and timestamp

WVC_(idx,ts)=Atmospheric water vapor content for a location and timestamp

GHC_(idx,ts)=Clear Sky Global Horizontal Irradiance for a location and timestamp

GHI_(idx,ts)=Measured Global Horizontal Irradiance for a location and timestamp

f(p₁ . . . p_(n))=Parametric function, f, which maps tuples (V_(idx,ts), IR_(1,idx,ts) . . . IR_(m,idx,ts), E_(idx), S_(idx,ts), T_(idx,ts), WVC_(idx,ts), GHC_(idx,ts)) onto estimated global irradiance values

eGHI_(idx,ts)=Estimated Global Horizontal Irradiance for a location and timestamp

Construction of Augmented Solar Irradiance Model. (1) Construct a set of tuples (id, ts, GHI_(idx,ts)), the reference irradiance set, that associate measured GHI with a measurement timestamp and identifier for the location where the measurement was taken. (2) Construct a set of tuples (id, ts, V_(idx,ts), IR_(1,idx,ts) . . . IR_(m,idx,ts), E_(idx), S_(idx,ts), T_(idx,ts), WVC_(idx,ts), GHC_(idx,ts)) by finding the correct pixel intensity, calculating the theoretical clear sky irradiance, and finding the appropriate elevation, snow cover, turbidity, and water vapor content value for each irradiance measurement location and timestamp. (3) Merge the reference irradiance set and reference predictor sets by matching the ids and timestamps to construct a reference data set of tuples ts, GHI_(idx,ts), V_(idx,ts), IR_(1,idx,ts) . . . IR_(m,idx,ts), E_(idx), S_(idx,ts), T_(idx,ts), WVC_(idx,ts), GHC_(idx,ts)). (4) Optimize the parameters p₁ . . . p_(n) of a parametric function f that estimates GHI from the predictors in order to minimize the least squares error between the predictions eGHI_(idx,ts)=f(p₁ . . . p_(n)) (V_(idx,ts), IR_(1,idx,ts) . . . IR_(m,idx,ts), E_(idx), S_(idx,ts), T_(idx,ts), WVC_(idx,ts), GHC_(idx,ts)) and the corresponding measured values, GHI_(idx,ts), from the reference irradiance set.

The present invention provides a computer implemented method of estimating solar irradiance. With reference to FIG. 15, the method provides: constructing, in a computing device, a reference irradiance set of tuples (1600), the reference irradiance set of tuples each having at least a numerical identifier for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists, a timestamp and a measured global horizontal irradiance for a location and timestamp; constructing, in the computing device, a reference predictor set of tuples (1602), the reference predictor set of tuples each having at least a numerical identifier for a particular location, a universal coordinated timestamp, a visible spectrum pixel intensity value from satellite image for the particular location and a timestamp, an infrared pixel intensity value for spectral band m for the particular location and a timestamp, an elevation for a location with a numerical identifier for the particular location, snow cover for the particular location and a timestamp, atmospheric turbidity for the particular location and a timestamp, atmospheric water vapor content for the particular location and a timestamp and a clear sky global horizontal irradiance for the particular location and a timestamp; merging, by the computing device, the reference irradiance set of tuples and the reference predictor set of tuples by matching the numerical identifiers for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists in the reference irradiance set of tuples and the timestamp with the numerical identifier for a particular location in the reference predictor set of tuples and the timestamp to provide a reference data set of tuples (1604); and estimating, by the computing device, the global horizontal irradiance for a specific location and a timestamp by minimizing the least squares error between the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples to provide a set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for a specific location and timestamp (1606). The timestamps may be universal coordinated timestamps. The visible spectrum pixel intensity values from satellite image for the particular location may be obtained from an internet geostationary satellite imagery feed. The infrared pixel intensity values for spectral band m for the particular location may be obtained from an internet geostationary satellite imagery feed. The atmospheric water vapor content may be obtained by reconstruction from a raw data feed from a multispectral imager on an orbiting satellite.

The step of estimating global horizontal irradiance for a specific location and a timestamp may be performed by optimizing parameters parameters p₁ . . . p_(n) of a parametric function f that estimates global horizontal irradiance in order to minimize the least squares error between the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples to provide a set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for a specific location and timestamp. The parametric function f may map the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples onto estimated global irradiance values. The set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values may be estimated ground level global horizontal irradiance values.

It should be understood that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. A computer implemented method of estimating solar irradiance, the method comprising: constructing, in a computing device, a reference irradiance set of tuples, the reference irradiance set of tuples each having at least a numerical identifier for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists, a timestamp and a measured global horizontal irradiance for a location and timestamp; constructing, in the computing device, a reference predictor set of tuples, the reference predictor set of tuples each having at least a numerical identifier for a particular location, a universal coordinated timestamp, a visible spectrum pixel intensity value from a satellite image for the particular location and a timestamp, an infrared pixel intensity value for spectral band m for the particular location and a timestamp, an elevation for a location with a numerical identifier for the particular location, snow cover for the particular location and a timestamp, atmospheric turbidity for the particular location and a timestamp, atmospheric water vapor content for the particular location and a timestamp, and a clear sky global horizontal irradiance for the particular location and a timestamp; merging, by the computing device, the reference irradiance set of tuples and the reference predictor set of tuples by matching the numerical identifiers for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists in the reference irradiance set of tuples and the timestamp with the numerical identifier for the particular location in the reference predictor set of tuples and the timestamp to provide a reference data set of tuples; and estimating, by the computing device, global horizontal irradiance for a specific location and a timestamp by minimizing the least squares error between the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples to provide a set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for the specific location and the timestamp that provides a forecast global horizontal irradiance map on a display, and wherein the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values are used by the computing device to monitor performance of a photovoltaic system.
 2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the timestamps are universal coordinated timestamps.
 3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the visible spectrum pixel intensity values from the satellite image for the particular location are obtained from an internet geostationary satellite imagery feed, and wherein the infrared pixel intensity values for spectral band m for the particular location are obtained from an internet geostationary satellite imagery feed.
 4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the atmospheric water vapor content is obtained by reconstruction from a raw data feed from a multispectral imager on an orbiting satellite.
 5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of estimating global horizontal irradiance for a specific location and a timestamp is performed by optimizing parameters p₁ . . . p_(n) of a parametric function ƒ that estimates global horizontal irradiance in order to minimize the least squares error between the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples to provide the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for the specific location and the timestamp.
 6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the parametric function ƒ maps the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples onto estimated global irradiance values.
 7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values are estimated ground level global horizontal irradiance values.
 8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for the specific location and the timestamp are used by the computing device to estimate output of a photovoltaic system.
 9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for the specific location and the timestamp are used by the computing device to determine a performance yield of a solar resource.
 10. A method as in claim 1, wherein the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for the specific location and the timestamp are used by the computing device to evaluate an efficiency of a building by determining an environmental load of the building.
 11. A method as in claim 1, wherein the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for the specific location and the timestamp are used to determine if the specific location is suitable for a photovoltaic system.
 12. A method as in claim 1, wherein the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for the specific location and the timestamp are used to determine a degradation rate of a photovoltaic system.
 13. A computer implemented method of estimating solar irradiance, the method comprising: constructing, in a computing device, a reference irradiance set of tuples, the reference irradiance set of tuples each having at least a numerical identifier for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists, a timestamp and a measured global horizontal irradiance for a location and timestamp; constructing, in the computing device, a reference predictor set of tuples, the reference predictor set of tuples each having at least a numerical identifier for a particular location, a universal coordinated timestamp, a visible spectrum pixel intensity value from a satellite image for the particular location and a timestamp, an infrared pixel intensity value for spectral band m for the particular location and a timestamp, an elevation for a location with a numerical identifier for the particular location, snow cover for the particular location and a timestamp, atmospheric turbidity for the particular location and a timestamp, atmospheric water vapor content for the particular location and a timestamp, and a clear sky global horizontal irradiance for the particular location and a timestamp; merging, by the computing device, the reference irradiance set of tuples and the reference predictor set of tuples by matching the numerical identifiers for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists in the reference irradiance set of tuples and the timestamp with the numerical identifier for the particular location in the reference predictor set of tuples and the timestamp to provide a reference data set of tuples; and optimizing parameters p₁ . . . p_(n) of a parametric function ƒ that estimates global horizontal irradiance in order to minimize the least squares error between the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples to provide a set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for the specific location and the timestamp that provides a forecast global horizontal irradiance map on a display, wherein the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values are used by the computing device to determine a performance yield of a solar resource.
 14. A method as in claim 13, wherein the timestamps are universal coordinated timestamps.
 15. A method as in claim 13, wherein the visible spectrum pixel intensity values from the satellite image for the particular location are obtained from an internet geostationary satellite imagery feed, and wherein the infrared pixel intensity values for spectral band m for the particular location are obtained from an internet geostationary satellite imagery feed.
 16. A method as in claim 13, wherein the solar resource is a photovoltaic system.
 17. A method as in claim 13, wherein the atmospheric water vapor content is obtained by reconstruction from a raw data feed from a multispectral imager on an orbiting satellite.
 18. A method as in claim 13, wherein the parametric function ƒ maps the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples onto estimated global irradiance values.
 19. A method as in claim 13, wherein the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values are estimated ground level global horizontal irradiance values.
 20. A computer implemented method of estimating solar irradiance, the method comprising: constructing, in a computing device, a reference irradiance set of tuples, the reference irradiance set of tuples each having at least a numerical identifier for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists, a timestamp and a measured global horizontal irradiance for a location and timestamp; constructing, in the computing device, a reference predictor set of tuples, the reference predictor set of tuples each having at least a numerical identifier for a particular location, a universal coordinated timestamp, a visible spectrum pixel intensity value from a satellite image for the particular location and a timestamp, an infrared pixel intensity value for spectral band m for the particular location and a timestamp, an elevation for a location with a numerical identifier for the particular location, snow cover for the particular location and a timestamp, atmospheric turbidity for the particular location and a timestamp, atmospheric water vapor content for the particular location and a timestamp, and a clear sky global horizontal irradiance for the particular location and a timestamp; merging, by the computing device, the reference irradiance set of tuples and the reference predictor set of tuples by matching the numerical identifiers for a location for which a global horizontal irradiance exists in the reference irradiance set of tuples and the timestamp with the numerical identifier for the particular location in the reference predictor set of tuples and the timestamp; and estimating, by the computing device, global horizontal irradiance for a specific location and a timestamp by minimizing the least squares error between the reference predictor set of tuples and the reference irradiance set of tuples to provide a set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values for the specific location and the timestamp, wherein the set of estimated global horizontal irradiance values are used by the computing device to at least one of: estimate output of a photovoltaic system; determine a performance yield of a photovoltaic system; determine a rate of degradation of a photovoltaic system; monitor performance of a photovoltaic system; evaluate efficiency of a building by determining an environmental load of the building; and determine if the specific location is suitable for a photovoltaic system. 